2. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees – A 19-8 record and the stud of the Yankees staff.

3. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels – An 18-8 record for a team that couldn’t win its division.

4. James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays – Trailing only Verlander and Sabathia in strikeouts, this guy is one of the league’s elite hurlers.

5. C.J. Wilson, Texas Rangers – Leader of the AL West champs’ staff, he had an outstanding season.

National League

1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – Best numbers in the game and he achieved them with a weak Dodger team. Based solely on the pain he inflicted on us San Francisco Giants fans, I’d have to vote him tops in the league.